Catholic Aid member, Kelly M., is making a big difference as she is working on her Girl Scout Gold Award Project. The Gold Award Project is “the culmination of all the work of a Girl Scout. It is something that a girl can be passionate about in thought, deed, and action.” The project is intended to fulfill a need in the community and create change. The award has high standards which include getting 65 hours of community service and the individual earning the award must take a leadership role in the project showing that she can delegate tasks and motivate all who are involved. Through her Gold Award Project, Kelly is creating change in her community.
Kelly lives in Rogers, Minn. and attends Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church. She sought the direction of her parish priest, Fr. Moriarty, who suggested that Kelly create a project that helps youth get more involved and senior citizens get the help they need. She created a phone line where senior citizens can call in and ask for help with a variety of projects like moving patio furniture, weeding, raking, and cleaning windows.
Kelly brainstormed and created task lists to get it all done. She said that “the hardest thing is staying on task.” Of course with being a senior in high school and having two Advanced Placement classes, and working; staying on task can be difficult!
Kelly worked with her Catholic parish, Mary Queen of Peace, and the Lutheran church across the street from her parish, Word of Peace and the phone lines opened up in Mid August. To get the word out about the project, Kelly addressed both congregations during the weekend of October 4-5 where she spoke at every service at both churches. She wanted to address the entire congregation of each church because she wanted to recruit volunteers for the service projects and she wanted to let the seniors know that there is a phone line they can call to get the help they need.
Service projects took place October 22, 25, and 29. Over 50 volunteers were involved in the projects and seniors got the help they needed. At the end of each service project there was a pizza party for the volunteers involved. The pizza was donated by a parishioner of Mary Queen of Peace.
